The Perfect Month For Indian Weddings

Indian weddings are grand spectacles that unfold over multiple days, with vibrant ceremonies, elaborate rituals, and a kaleidoscope of traditions. The wedding season in India typically begins around the start of the year and peaks between October and February. The specific timing depends on various factors, including regional and cultural differences, religious beliefs, and astrological considerations.

Hindu weddings, which account for about 80% of weddings in India, are steeped in rich traditions and rituals. They are often planned according to auspicious dates and times suggested by a pandit, or Hindu priest. Indian weddings are known for their vibrant colours, extravagant decorations, and elaborate outfits. The bride usually wears a lehenga or sari, while the groom dons a kurta or sherwani.

Indian weddings typically include multiple pre-wedding events such as the Mehndi ceremony, the Sangeet, and the Haldi. The actual wedding ceremony and reception take place on the third day, followed by a grand celebration with family and friends. The wedding day is filled with religious and cultural rituals, including the exchange of flower garlands, the groom riding a horse or elephant, and the sacred fire ceremony.

With about 10 million weddings per year, the Indian wedding industry is a major business, estimated at $40-50 billion. The cost of an Indian wedding can range from $6,747 to $674,743, with families spending up to six times their annual income. Indian weddings are known for their extravagance, with multiple days of celebrations, lavish decorations, and generous dowries.

Pre-wedding rituals and celebrations

Indian weddings are steeped in rich tradition and ritual, and no two weddings are the same. Pre-wedding rituals and celebrations can last for several days and are vibrant, colourful, and steeped in symbolism.

The engagement ceremony is one of the most important pre-wedding rituals in Hindu weddings and other religions. It is an intimate event with close relatives and friends from both sides of the family. The fathers of the couple usually make a formal wedding announcement, and the couple exchanges rings to solidify their engagement.

The Mehendi ceremony is a joyous celebration where henna is applied to the bride's hands and feet, and sometimes the groom's. The female guests also often get henna applied to their hands. This ceremony is accompanied by music and dancing.

The Sangeet is a fun, women-centric pre-wedding ceremony, traditionally part of the formal engagement event but now often celebrated separately. It is a chance for both families to come together and celebrate through song and dance.

The Tilak ceremony is the first step in bonding the two families. Male members of the bride's family visit the groom's residence to apply a mark of kumkum or vermilion on his forehead.

The Haldi ceremony is another fun and auspicious pre-wedding ritual. A paste made from turmeric is applied to the bride and groom's bodies to beautify and bless them before their wedding day. The colour yellow is considered auspicious and is said to ward off evil.

The Roka ceremony is the first step towards marriage, where the two families gather, exchange gifts, and make an official announcement of the couple's consent to marry.

Other pre-wedding rituals include the Graha Shanti ceremony, which is intended to bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to the couple, and the Lagna Patrika, where the couple exchanges written vows.

The wedding ceremony

Indian weddings are steeped in rich tradition and rituals, with festivities that can last for several days. The ceremonies are colourful, vibrant, and full of meaning.

On the day of the wedding, the festivities begin with the Ganesh Puja, a prayer led by the priest to Ganesha, the god of beginnings, to remove any obstacles and bring peace.

The groom then arrives with his procession, or Baraat, accompanied by family, friends, music, and dancing. The bride's family may toss rice over the groom and apply a tilak, a mark of devotion, to his forehead.

The bride arrives at the mandap, a decorative structure where the ceremony is held, escorted by her uncles, brothers, or father. The Jai Mala follows, where the bride and groom exchange flower garlands, symbolising their first step into marriage.

The Kanyadaan is the 'giving away' of the bride by her father, who places her hand into the groom's hand, symbolising their lifelong union. The groom may also present the bride with a mangalsutra, a gold and black beaded necklace that signifies her married status.

The Saptapadi, or the seven sacred steps around the fire, is one of the most important rituals. The couple takes seven steps together, each step representing a pair of vows: the groom to the bride, and the bride to the groom. This ritual marks the beginning of their journey as a married couple, and after the seventh step, they are considered legally married.

The ceremony concludes with the Sindoor, where the groom applies a red powder, known as sindoor, to the bride's hair parting to symbolise that she is now married. The bride may also choose to wear a bindi dot instead. This moment is often emotional as the bride's family bids her farewell and wishes her a happy married life.

Post-wedding traditions

Indian weddings are steeped in rich tradition and rituals, with most practices passed down for generations. The post-wedding rituals and celebrations vary by region, preferences, and the resources of the families of the bride and groom. Here are some of the post-wedding traditions:

Grihapravesa

The bride leaves for the groom's home in the groom's car, with the groom's younger brother driving the car. The bride is welcomed into the groom's family in a ritual known as Grihapravesa (home coming/entry). This ceremony requires the participation of the groom's mother, father, brothers, and sisters, or other guardians.

Madhuparka

The bride's father symbolically offers the groom a cow as a present. In ancient times, this was a precious asset for a newlywed couple. Nowadays, this tradition is preserved by presenting a symbolic gift.

Mangalasnanam and Wearing of Wedding Clothes

Five Veda mantras are recited to sanctify the bride and prepare her for married life. The bride then wears her wedding clothes, accompanied by additional Veda mantras. The groom ties a darbha rope around the bride's waist and leads her to the sacred fire, where they sit on a new mat. The groom recites three mantras invoking Soma, Gandharva, and Agni to confer strength, beauty, and youth on the bride.

Pradhaana Homam or Jayadi Homamam

After the Saptapadi (seven steps), the couple sits on the western side of the sacred fire and performs the Pradhaana Homam. The bride places her right hand on the husband's body to receive the full benefit of the ritual. Sixteen mantras are recited, each accompanied by pouring a spoon of clarified butter into the sacred fire. These mantras beseech various deities to bless the marriage with long life, health, wealth, children, and freedom from worries.

Ashmarohanam (Stepping on the Grinding Stone)

The husband holds the wife's right toe, lifts her leg, and places it on a flat granite grinding stone called "ammi". The husband recites a Veda mantra, asking the wife to stand firm like the stone and develop tolerance and strength to defend her rights as the head of the household.

Laja Homam

The wife cups her hands, and the bride's brothers fill them with parched rice. The husband adds a drop of ghee, and the wife recites five Veda mantras, offering the parched rice to the sacred fire. Through these mantras, the wife prays for long life for her husband and a peaceful marriage.

Journey to the Groom's Home

The husband carries the sacred fire in an earthenware vessel during the journey to his home. Veda mantras accompany this journey, praying for the removal of all obstacles. Upon reaching her new home, the bride recites a Veda mantra, asking for prosperity and righteousness for her new household.

Praavisya Homam

Once the couple arrives at the groom's home, they perform the Praavisya Homam, a fire ritual accompanied by thirteen Veda mantras from the Rig Veda. This ritual offers salutations to Agni Deva and seeks strength and nourishment for the couple to discharge their duties as householders for the next hundred years.

Dhruva Dharshanam and Arundhati Darshanam

The couple observes the pole star (Dhruva) and prays for stability and strength in their marriage. The husband then points out the Arundhati star and narrates its story of legendary chastity to the wife.

Suhaag Raat

Also known as the wedding night, this is when the couple consummates their marriage. In South India, this is done on a date chosen based on astrology, while in North and East India, it occurs on the fourth day after the wedding.

Wedding attire

Indian weddings are a vibrant, colourful affair, and the wedding attire is no exception. The bride will often wear a lehenga or sari, while the groom will wear a kurta or sherwani. The wedding party will also be dressed in similar attire.

As a guest, it is appropriate to wear traditional Indian clothing, but it is not a requirement. If you do decide to wear Indian clothing, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to avoid wearing red, as this is the colour typically worn by the bride. Black and white are also best avoided, as they are considered inauspicious colours in some Indian cultures. It is also important to dress modestly, especially for religious ceremonies.

For women, lehengas and sarees are the most common options. A lehenga is a two-piece outfit consisting of a cropped top and a full, high-waisted skirt. A saree is a long piece of fabric, often made of silk, that is wrapped around the body and draped over the shoulder. Men typically wear a sherwani, which is a long coat-like top, usually paired with trousers.

If you choose not to wear traditional Indian clothing, you can opt for a bright-coloured pantsuit or jumpsuit, or a formal Western dress or suit. It is important to check the dress code on the invitation or wedding website, as there may be specific attire requests for certain ceremonies.

Indian weddings usually last for three days, with multiple events and dress codes to consider. Here is a breakdown of what to wear for each event:

• Ganesha Pooja: This is a Hindu ceremony that takes place on the first day, with close family and friends. It is best to opt for lightweight traditional outfits, as there may be staining with haldi (turmeric) or henna.
• Sangeet/Mehendi: The Sangeet is a dance-off and stage performance event, usually held in the evening on the second day. Guests are often instructed to wear sparkly outfits. The Mehendi is the ceremony where the bride, her family, and guests have their henna done, usually during the daytime on the second day. Bright colours are typical for this event, often with a theme of green to match the colour of the henna.
• Haldi: This is a religious ceremony, usually held during the day on the third day. Light-coloured clothing is recommended, and modest Western silhouettes are acceptable. The colours yellow and orange are often suggested, as "haldi" means "turmeric" in Hindi.
• Phere: This is the final religious ceremony, where the couple takes their wedding vows. Women are expected to wear Indian outfits, such as a saree or lehenga, and men can wear suits.

Wedding food and festivities

Indian weddings are a grand celebration of culture, community, and festivities, and food plays a pivotal role in this joyous occasion. The cuisine varies across regions and communities, but there are some dishes commonly enjoyed at Indian weddings. Here is a guide to the food and festivities that make Indian weddings so special:

The Food

Indian wedding food is a delightful blend of flavours, colours, and aromas, reflecting the country's diverse culinary landscape. The spread typically includes a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to cater to different dietary preferences.

North Indian Cuisine

North Indian cuisine is known for its rich and hearty dishes. At weddings, you will find lavish spreads featuring butter chicken, lamb curry, succulent tandoori meats, and fragrant biryanis. The flavours are a symphony of spices, with creamy gravies infused with traditional masalas. Other popular dishes include Kadai paneer, paneer tikka, and an array of crispy snacks like samosas, pakoras, and papdi chaat.

South Indian Cuisine

South Indian weddings celebrate the simplicity and freshness of locally sourced ingredients. Food is often served on banana leaves, with vibrant colours and intricate arrangements. Iconic dishes include dosas, idlis, sambar, and coconut chutney. The flavours are enhanced by the subtle blend of spices unique to the region. Vegetarian dishes are the heart and soul of a South Indian wedding feast, with fluffy idlis, crispy masala vada, and soft medu vada.

The Festivities

Indian weddings are known for their vibrant and colourful festivities, with multiple days of celebrations and rituals. Here are some of the common festivities associated with Indian weddings:

Pre-Wedding Rituals

Prewedding rituals are an integral part of Indian weddings, and often include the Haldi ceremony, where a paste of turmeric, sandalwood, and rose water is applied to the bride and groom's skin for a radiant glow. Another significant ritual is the Mehendi ceremony, where intricate henna designs are applied to the bride's hands and feet, symbolizing beauty and spiritual awakening. These rituals bring families and communities together in anticipation of the union.

The Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony itself is a colourful and festive affair, with extensive decorations, music, dance, and rituals that depend on the community, region, and religion of the couple. Hinduism, being the most practised religion in India, has several key rituals such as Kanyadaan (giving away of the daughter by the father), Panigrahana (voluntarily holding hands near the fire), and Saptapadi (taking seven steps before the fire, each with a set of mutual vows).

The Reception

Indian wedding receptions are known for their grand parties, with Bollywood-style dances, vibrant colours, and a lively atmosphere. They often start in the evening and continue until midnight. The newlyweds are usually given a grand farewell, leaving in a fancy car or something comparable.

Indian wedding food and festivities are a delightful blend of tradition, culture, and celebration. The food is a reflection of the region's culinary heritage, with North Indian extravagance and South Indian simplicity. The festivities bring families and communities together, creating lasting memories and strengthening bonds. Indian weddings truly encapsulate the essence of Indian cultural heritage, where food plays a vital role in symbolizing unity, blessings, and togetherness.

Frequently asked questions